A year removed from dominating the Olympic League and three from a state title, Sequim’s girls tennis program is getting a reboot this spring.
After drawing as many as three-dozen players to the courts in recent seasons, head coach Mark Textor’s squad is smaller this spring: 14 have signed up but in early practices only nine have been at the court at one time. Few players have significant varsity experience, and most of the others are brand new to the sport.
“This is a year about learning,” Textor said.
Graduation took its toll on the league champs: gone are league singles champ (and former state doubles title winner) Kalli Wiker, McKenna Hastings (last year’s league doubles title holder), Olivia Preston (third at league final in singles) and Melissa Porter (fourth place at league in doubles).
Back, however, is junior Kendall Hastings, who with her sister McKenna went undefeated (14-0) on the way to a league doubles crown, and senior Allie Gale, who with Porter earned fourth place at the league tourney.
Also on the roster is senior Jordan Hegtvedt, who went 7-1 with doubles partners in 2021, and senior Malory Morey, who was 6-2 in doubles play last spring.
Sequim’s squad will have a steep learning curve and will have a challenge to pick up wins in a tough Olympic League that features strong Bainbridge and Port Angeles teams, Textor said.
“They are really nice girls, they’re hard working and have good attitudes,” the Sequim coach said of his roster.
“We’re looking forward to lots of learning and big improvements.”
Spring sports preview: Girls tennis
Head coach: Mark Textor (14th season)
2021 record: 10-0, Olympic League champs
Returners: Kendall Hastings (jr.), Allie Gale (sr.), Jordan Hegtvedt (sr.), Malory Morey (sr.), Ruby Romano (sr.), Aidyn Shingleton (sr.)
Newcomers: Desara Bibaj (so.), Dana Carlile (fr.), Sydney Hegtvedt (so.), Kimberly Heintz (fr.), Danielle Herman (so.), Keira Morey (fr.), Payton Smithson (fr.)
2022 Sequim High School girls tennis schedule
Date Opponent Time
March 14 at Bainbridge 4 p.m.
March 16 Bremerton 4 p.m.
March 21 at North Kitsap 4 p.m.
March 22 North Mason 4 p.m.
March 23 at Kingston 3:30 p.m.
March 28 Olympic 4 p.m.
March 30 at Port Angeles 4 p.m.
March 31 Bainbridge 4 p.m.
April 13 at Bremerton 4 p.m.
April 14 North Kitsap 4 p.m.
April 18 at North Mason 4 p.m.
April 20 Kingston 4 p.m.
April 25 at Olympic 4 p.m.
April 26 Port Angeles 4 p.m.
